Deep Bite

Thinking about painting the hull a different color? We can show you that in the previews as part of our process. In this case a dark navy hull drives the choice toward lighter colors. Contrast means readability on the water.

Whether it’s the dramatic thrill of the hunt or the constant heave of the ocean, few sports are as exhilarating as deep-sea fishing — even for anglers who have fished rivers for years. As the pastime has increased in popularity, a number of U.S. fishing outfitters have put together full-service (this means tackle is included), multi-night charters to some of the deepest water around. Here’s a sampling.

Alaska Sea Adventures
Where: Petersburg, AlaskaWith halibut the size of motorcycles and salmon that can weigh as much as small children, the Gulf of Alaska is a deep-sea fisherman’s dream. Perhaps this is why the six-night, seven-day Silver Salmon Fishing excursion with Alaska Sea Adventures is one of the most popular fishing trips in the Northwest.

The adventure leaves from Petersburg, a small fishing town on the Inside Passage. Aboard the 60-foot M/V Alaska Adventurer, the crew heads west, powering through the whale-infested waters of the Icy Strait and into the gulf for some serious fishing. When the water’s calm, the depths teem with all manner of sea life, from halibut to black cod. When the sea rages, the crew heads east to the passage, where salmon abound.

A gyro-stabilized fishing platform on the boat’s aft deck is just a few steps from a comfortable salon, dining table, large freezer and a fully stocked refrigerator. Down below, four private staterooms, three bathrooms, and two hot-water showers provide inn-quality accommodations.

Back on shore, take a day or two to explore Peter sburg — a town so obsessed with its Scandinavian heritage that some call it “Little Norway.” Food options here are slim, but the Northern Lights Restaurant near the marina has the basics covered. After dinner, head to the Harbor Bar for a pint of — what else? — Alaskan Amber beer.

Supergun Charters
Where: Oxnard, CaliforniaClose to the mainland of Southern California, yet seemingly worlds apart, Channel Islands National Park encompasses five islands and some of the best deep-water fishing in the Pacific Ocean. One of the best ways to get there is on a two-day chartered fishing excursion with Supergun Charters.

Supergun’s 46-foot Bertram Flybridge Sportfisher departs Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard and heads due west until it’s directly over thousand-foot canyons that run close to shore. Here, crew members catch some live squid for bait and encourage guests to use it to angle for everything from white sea bass, calico, yellowtail bass and halibut.

At night, from the aft deck, the view of the pock-marked heavens on a clear night is spectacular. Downstairs, relax below deck in two spacious staterooms before emerging for a home-cooked dinner and a movie on the 28-inch digital flat-screen surround-sound system. The boat also boasts two heated showers and a decent-sized bathroom.

Before heading home, stop back at the harbor and grab a meal at The Whale’s Tail, a seafood restaurant with legendary lobster taquitos, and a stellar view of the marina. Another diversion: the Maritime Museum, which celebrates the art of model shipbuilding and displays the life’s work of master modeler Ed Marple